Math Supports
Dyscalculia- is difficulty in learning or comprehending arithmetic, such as difficulty in understanding numbers, learning how to manipulate numbers, and learning facts in Mathematics. Some kids with dyscalculia can’t grasp basic number concepts. They work hard to learn and memorize basic number facts. They may know what to do in math class but don’t understand why they’re doing it.
Low Technology Math Tools
Tool 1: Manipulatives are great tools to help students who struggle with math concepts. An examples of Manipulatives would be blocks or tiles to represent fractions. The student can put the the pieces together to form a shape and take a piece away at a time. This allows the student to see the visual representation of each block or tile. Another good math manipulative to use colored tiles to aide in the understanding of probability. They could count out the total number and the number of each colored tile and find the probability. Manipluatives help students who are tactile learners, visual leaners and students who struggle to understand the concept being taught.
Tool 2: Abacus is a great tool to use when trying to teach students counting and grouping of numbers. There are various functions and types of abacus. There are versions that accommodate students who have a visual impairment. Each line of items on the abacus is made of different materials. So they can feel the difference between each line. They are cheap and easy to use. They do not require much training. Below is a picture of an abacus and a youtube video of a teacher using one.
Medium Technology Tool
Tool 1: Calculator with large buttons are useful for students who have troubling seeing, do not have the necessary motor skills or who struggle with additions, subtraction, multiplication, and division. There are a variety or different calculators and they range in price from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars depending on the calculator does.
Tool 2: Virtual Math Manipulatives are great tools for students to use to help them understand a variety or math concepts. http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/mathematics/ebook_assets/vmf/VMF-Interface.html is a great site that has an array of virtual math tools available to anyone for free. It has virtual Geoboards, math counters, spinners, fractions tiles, and many more. There are multiple sites and various types of manipulatives. The teacher or student has to select the best tool for the assignment or task.
High Technology Tools
Tool 1: Electronic math worksheets are great tools for students to practice math concepts outside of class. Electronic math worksheets are software programs that can help a user organize, align, and work through math problems on a computer screen. Numbers that appear onscreen can also be read aloud via a speech synthesizer. This may be helpful to people who have trouble aligning math problems with pencil and paper. Mathtalk.com is a great example of an online math worksheet program. It has all the features I previuosly mentioned but it is not free. It costs a lot of money and requires some training to use. Below is a great video that shows how the program works and it various uses.
Tool 2: http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/dictionary.html is a great tool to utilize in the classroom. It is a free website that allows the user to click on various math concepts/ definitions and see a virtual display. If you were learning about to tell time, you can click on the a.m tab and see a clock and can move the manipluative around. You can move the hands around and click answer button and see if you are correct. It also read the definitions aloud and explains the concept. It also allows the user to print the material from the computer. This website requires some training but is free and available to anyone with a computer.
Resources/ Links
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dyscalculia/understanding-dyscalculia
Dell, Amy G., Newton, Deborah A., Petroff, Jerry G., (2012) Assistive Technology in the Classroom.
https://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/Math+tools
Dell, Amy G., Newton, Deborah A., Petroff, Jerry G., (2012) Assistive Technology in the Classroom.
https://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/Math+tools